The academy felt different after the expedition.
Whispers followed Ethan wherever he went. Some students looked at him with awe, others with fear. A few looked at him with something darker.
Trust was thinning.
Ethan tried to ignore it, focusing on training. But Lyria sensed it immediately.
"Be careful," she warned. "Someone is watching us."
That night, Ethan received a message—an urgent request to meet near the old training tower. It was signed by Calen, a fellow student who had once helped Ethan recover after a brutal session.
Ethan hesitated, then went.
The tower stood silent under the moonlight. Too silent.
"Calen?" Ethan called.
A sudden pressure slammed into him. Magic chains erupted from the ground, binding his arms and legs. The Fate Mark flared, but the spell was designed to suppress it.
From the shadows, Calen stepped forward—his face filled with guilt.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "The Empire offered me protection… and power."
Before Ethan could speak, masked Imperial agents appeared. Their leader smiled coldly.
"And the Starborn girl?" he asked.
Ethan's heart dropped.
Lyria.
Before Ethan could break free, another squad emerged from the darkness—dragging Lyria with them. She struggled, but the restraints around her neck glowed ominously.
"Let her go!" Ethan roared.
The agents laughed.
"Your power interests us," the leader said. "But her heart… that's priceless."
The chains tightened. Ethan felt helpless rage burn through him.
As the agents vanished into the night with Lyria, Calen turned away, unable to meet Ethan's eyes.
Ethan fell to his knees.
For the first time since gaining power—
He had failed.